an aide to senate majority leader mitch mcconnell said the republican senator is eager to hear from the president. >>> new year's is still a few days away but some lawmakers are telling republicans, not to drop the ball on the looming fiscal cliff. news4 tony is live on capitol hill where a maryland lawmaker joined the effort. tony, what's the word over there? >> reporter: we've been hearing about this closed-door session president obama is having with congressional lawmakers. but here on capitol hill, they're having a rally today and you can see behind me some folks with starting to gather and this will take place as 11:30. both sides coming together to call for some kind of agreement to have before these possible tax hikes take place. that being said, i want to bring in mr. bob packer. you're a small business owner in herndon, virginia. tell me real quick, if there's no how will it affect your business? >> if tax rates income it will affect me a number of ways. it will hammer my ability to invest in equipment and hire new people. my individual tax rate will increase and that will put